Just an update, the latest MiniPro v5.91 program runs flawlessly at Win XP SP3 inside VMWare Player version 4.0.4 running at Win 7 x64 host.

Regarding the program's gui problem at XP, the solution posted by radioman fixed it , and only needs up to step 3 (and reboot). It doesn't need to proceed to step 4 which is to install Chinese language as pointed out by spagamoto.

Hi guys! yes, step 3 is enough and do the job. Step 4,5,6 actually is a trick for preserving installed files in case you change the language for non-unicode programs. If you have English as language for non-unicode programs and you do not change that setting, yes only step 3 is needed, but if you change to a diferrent language for non-unicode and do not take step 4 then OS will replace Chinese fonts with another files and after first reboot the problem will reapear.

And now for programmers/connoisseurs:The problem is a non existing monospaced(fixed) font in Win XP. They use C++ MFC framework for programming and a frame/dialog template model. And yes in case of changing dialog font, the parent frame must be resized to fit the new size of child dialog, but I believe they hard coded size values, and if dialog is resized to fit new content, parent frame remain smaller than dialog template and system will add scrollbars. Its a dumb bug.Cheers!

It is possible to reflash firmware. All you need is the full version of firmware and a pic programmer. I managed to do that, but is somewhat risky to brick the device. For all interested I have the full version of firmware, but at this moment I can't post it. Also I've done reverse engineering of the schematic diagram for this programmer:TL866.pdf

Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map look like this:00000-017FF=Boot loader01800-1FFFF=main firmware.The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-1FFFF), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware for both version and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.Cheers and 73.

Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map look like this:00000-017FF=Boot loader01800-FFFFF=main firmware.The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-fffff), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware for both version and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.Cheers and 73.

Well, Thats One Brilliant Reverse Eng Done There Boss .If You Use Your Own Serial Code And Device Version What Happens ? .BTW with serial code you mean serial number right ? and by device code you mean if its CS or A .

Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software and I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:TL866A_firmware.zip You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware. Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.Cheers!

Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software and I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7jjr3s9wet4kf0/TL866A_firmware.zip You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware. Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.Cheers!

Well, Its late nigh here but this is bliss hee hee .Will trouble you more

For anyone interested I wrote a small utility which generates the full TL866A firmware, based on custom serial. The software allows and firmware update (like minipro but with more options). For full firmware upgrade you will need an pic programmer and firmware hex file generated by this utility; for regular upgrade you will need the update.dat file from minipro software and this software utility. If you have Windows XP make sure you have installed net framework (at least version 2.0). The software is not finished yet, but if someone wants to try it is ok, because I have not enough time available.Sugestions, questions and opinions are welcome, thank you.Updated: May 08,2013. Fixed minor bugs, please redownload.Updated May 16,2013. Fixed schematic diagram drawing mistake.Updated November 23,2013. Introduced firmware dump option.Updated November 25,2013. Introduced CS firmware generator.Updated November 30,2013. New version.Updated February 8,2014. New version.Updated May 5,2016. New version.TL866 firmware updater

Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.TL866 Upgrade procedure

Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.TL866 Upgrade procedure

Thanks , For The Amazing Job Done And Sharing It Freely With All Of Us .Do Let me Know If I Can Do Something For You in Return Ever From India .

Well Thanks for the kind words Amarbir, i decided to do that because i found no information on how to repair this device. After couple of mails exchanged with some guys from autoelectric, they decided that in case of an corrupted firmware you must buy another device, and i don't want to do this. The hard job was with decryption, very complex alogorithm btw., but good knowledge of assembler and programming gives positive result. Now, if this can help anyone in this world having the same problem why not to share?

thank you for your work on the tl866!When i am looking at the schematics, it occurs that the voltage generators for VDD and VPP are controlled by just 3bits each.Is that correct? How is it possible to support such a big range of chips with voltage generators like these?